June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971

ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955 to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles. 

 Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive.
 
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.   

On this show, Ed Sullivan salutes the Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein play OKLAHOMA acknowledging its 12 anniversary. Hammerstein is interviewed by Ed Sullivan. 

            October 18, 1954-May 27, 1957
Live ninety minute productions aired every fourth week. The range of material was vast, from dramas to musicals.

Presented on "PRODUCER'S SHOWCASE." This special color broadcast opens with the words, "The following program is brought to you in compatible color." For the first few years, NBC introduced all broadcasts presented in color with this introduction, prior to replacing the word "compatible" with the word "living" in 1957.
 
Classic fairy tale about a farm boy who trades the family cow for magic beans and climbs the beanstalk that grows from the beans, confronting an ogre. There are ten different songs presented in this live musical fantasy.                          

The Premiere Pilot show on National Nighttime ABC Television is broadcast. Les Crane's guests include Harry Belafonte, Ricardo Montalban, Robert Preston, Celeste Holm and Mel Brooks, who does a satirical recap of tonight's broadcast.             

John Wayne and an all-star cast tell the story of America. 

Host: John Wayne.           

 The contributions of noted American women over the past 200 years are depicted through dramatizations and newsreel footage. Patricia Neal narrates.
  Women profiled include Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, pioneer suffragettes; Harriet Tubman, who helped free hundreds of slaves; and Margret Sanger, who established the first birth control clinic in the U.S.          

Audio Air Check recorded on WBAY Green Bay Wisconsin CBS affiliate station. The American Film Institute Life Achievement Award is presented to Bette Davis. Paying tribute to Davis are hostess Jane Fonda, Henry Fonda, Olivia de Havilland, William Wyler, Liza Minnelli, Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood, Peter Falk, Paul Henreid, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Lee Grant, Celeste Holm, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Martin Manulis, George Stevens Jr. and Cicely Tyson.  

Dupe Of # 845                                     

Taped in Green Bay Wisconsin CBS affiliate station. The American Film Institute Life Achievement Award is presented to Bette Davis. Paying tribute to Davis are hostess Jane Fonda, Henry Fonda, Olivia de Havilland, William Wyler, Liza Minnelli, Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood, Peter Falk, Paul Henreid, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Lee Grant, Celeste Holm, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Martin Manulis, George Stevens Jr. and Cicely Tyson.             

A retrospective on the career of actor Gregory Peck by his friends and colleagues. Interviews with Celeste Holm, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Vincent Price, Lee Remick, Joan Collins, and Sheilah Graham.

Host: Peter Lawford.           

The career of Gregory Peck is profiled.

Host: Peter Lawford         

A night of spectacular stars and entertainment. Tonight, Grammy honors some of the greatest recordings of all time, and the performers who made them legend. Host: Andy Williams.